The outdoor setup at the fairgrounds may be slightly behind because of Wednesday's severe weather, but festival site director Tague Richardson said his team is used to challenges, and everything will be ready, set and done when the gates open Friday morning.

"Fortunately, the guys who've been doing this for years come back and they know the drill. (We) can't train new guys. It's really about the folks who support me," said Richardson.

Organizers said a lot goes into setting up Jazz Fest, including attention to detail, safety of the crowds, sound quality of the music, and getting the food and drink vendors in place and set up.

"We get all of our requirements out here for a week. For a week, we come while track is still racing. It's a big choreography because you're starting with layers," said Linda Lesperance, who sells art pieces. "I put things up and take them down and move them around and decide which ones should be up front."

Muddy ground or not, the festival will go on. Organizers said the one thing different this year is that Jazz Fest celebrates Native Americans through art and music.

"It just fills me up, you know, and I look forward to it every year. I really do," said Richardson.

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